Kane County officials ready to ink deal on Cougars' ballpark upgrade

A south suburban construction firm has been tentatively picked for a nearly $11 million expansion and renovation of the Kane County Cougars' baseball stadium in Geneva, officials said.

Pending county approval of a contract with Skender Construction of Palos Hills, work on the twice-delayed stadium project is expected to begin this summer and be mostly completed in time for the 2009 baseball season.

Skender's $10.7 million bid to do the work, which includes the addition of sky box-type suites and a covered concourse, was the lowest of four reviewed Friday by the Forest Preserve District's Executive Committee, which recommended its acceptance.

The full commission is expected to award a stadium construction contract Feb. 13. The commission's sale of $8 million in revenue bonds to help pay for construction also is slated for approval Feb. 13.

Team owners are investing $2.5 million in the project.

The bid could be reduced depending on the commission's decision regarding optional construction items, said Robert Quinlan, the district's finance director.

The 17-year-old stadium, owned by the county's Forest Preserve District, has been home to the team since 1991. The ballpark and surrounding events center are on Kirk Road, south of Illinois Highway 38.

The commission and team owners have been trying for two years to adjust the project's scope and funding in response to the larger than expected bid proposals received when they unveiled the proposed remodeling plan.